In Saudi Arabia, women have suffered greatly under the male guardianship system, making decisions including those affecting their personal medical care require the permission of their male guardian. Depending on the guardian, women could also require permission for marriage and divorce, travel, education, employment and opening a bank account. Women have been imprisoned to this system including the physical locking of women away in houses simply at the request and demand of the male guardian. A system claiming to be designed for the protection of women has served to strip women of any rights in Saudi Arabia and imprison them to not only their country but to male guardians who do not always carry their best interest but rather their own. Driving a car in Saudi Arabia for a women remains illegal as this would be a great sign of independence.

In honor of the Oct 26th Driving campaign in Saudi Arabia hashtagged #Iwilldrivemyself, I am offering my eBook ‘Rise Up and Glow’ at no cost through Oct 27th. It is a snippet of my personal story facing gender discrimination after driving for a Saudi Princess and being terminated by a Saudi Prince in the USA because I am a female driver.

What can anyone do? Gala is dead. The date trees in which Sahar and Jawaher would be able to eat from have been ordered to be cut by their father King Abdullah and his sons. What world leader is allowed to get away with these atrocities while the international community remains largely silent? Only the Al Sauds. Please follow #freethe4 and use your voice to help these grown women. Time is running out for them. I have done everything I can think of for three months, yet these women have been held against their will for 13 years!!